Galapagos: Monserrat | 7 days

Fly from Quito or Guayaquil

Galapagos 7 day /6 night Monday-Sunday (itinerary C+D)
Other itineraries are available, please ask us for more info.


MORNING: Arrive in San Cristobal

Catch an early flight to San Cristóbal Island. After clearing customs and immigration you will be met by a guide and transferred to the M/Y Monserrat.


AFTERNOON: Lobos Island

Venture to Isla Lobos and be greeted by sea lions frolicking in the waves.

Enjoy the day on Española Island, one of the oldest in the archipelago. Visit the white
sandy beach of Gardner Bay's and the bird colonies of Punta Suárez.

Arriving at Gardner Bay's in the morning, spend the day exploring on shore and snorkelling at Gardner Island in the bay. After lunch, sail to the western side of the islands to PuntaSuárez, known for its amazing bird colonies and home to the waved albatross (April and December).


MORNING: Gardner Bay

Visit to Gardner Bay's magnificent white sandy beach, home to sea lions and sea birds. Be sure to explore the beautiful turquoise water and its incredible sea life. Spot young sea lions and large schools of surprisingly big tropical fish, including yellow-tailed surgeonfish, king angelfish, and bump-head parrot fish.


AFTERNOON: Punta Suárez Visit

Visit Punta Suárez, one of most rich wildlife landing sites in the Galápagos. Be greeted by surfing young sea lions on arrival. Head to the trail to find many species of nesting sea birds, and, if lucky, see the waved albatross. Follow the path up to a cliff for great views over the ocean, and watch sea birds gliding in the wind.

Land at Punta Cormorant on Floreana. Guided walks to observe the bird and wildlife and
learn about the natural history. Snorkelling excursion at Champion Islet. Visit Post Office
Bay.


MORNING: Punta Cormorant Visit

Visit to Punta Cormorant, the only landing site on Floreana Island, and discover two amazingly different beaches: one with green sand, colored by olivine crystals, and another with white sand particles known as 'Flour Beach'.
Spend the afternoon observing flamingos and other shore birds feeding in the lagoon. Spot penguins and marine iguanas at the water’s edge, and explore the lava tubes. Get up close and personal with the playful sea lion colony that reside in the waters off this tiny island. Keep an eye out for sea turtles, rays and colorful fish swimming by. There can be strong currents in this area, this activity should be done by experimented swimmers only.


AFTERNOON: Post Office Bay

Venture to Post Office Bay and learn about its unique history. In the late 18th century, English whaling vessels placed a barrel here to be used as a post office. Today, the box is used mainly by tourists, who may drop off and pick up unstamped letters to be carried to far destinations. Continue the tradition – leave a letter and take one to deliver (be sure it makes it to the correct location).

Disembark in Puerto Ayora and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to see the giant
Galápagos tortoises. In the afternoon enjoy the highlands, visit a tortoise ranch and see
some of the amazing volcanic formations on Santa Cruz.


MORNING: Charles Darwin Research Station Visit

Visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center at the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, where giant tortoises roam spacious corrals and land iguanas share adjacent enclosures along a 1.4 km trail. A nursery cares for hatchlings until their shells harden at around four years of age. This area also houses the Charles Darwin Research Station, a scientific organization initiated in 1964, which works to preserve the Galápagos' ecosystem through the conservation efforts of scientists, researchers, and volunteers. While the offices themselves are not open to visitors, the research station provides a study location for international scientists and environmental education for the local community.


AFTERNOON: Highland, Santa Cruz Island

You will get to explore the highlands of Santa Cruz and see the magnificent Galápagos giant tortoise in its natural habitat. Get to discover the remarkable landscapes and visit underground lava tunnels – some extending over 1km (.6 mi) in length! While wandering along these volcanic tubes, keep a lookout for the (mostly) nocturnal barn owls that occasionally inhabit this area.

Today sail to the beautiful and remote Genovesa Island. This island is a paradise for bird lovers with an estimated 200,000 red-footed boobies living on this island.


MORNING: Darwin Bay

Visit Darwin Bay, a birdwatching paradise. The island hosts various bird species, including swallow-tailed and lava gulls, mockingbirds, yellow-crowned night herons, lava herons, Galapagos doves, and yellow warblers. A short trail will take you to red-footed booby and great frigatebird nests. You can also explore a tidal lagoon with playful sea lions and enjoy breathtaking views from a cliff. You may even have time to snorkel with sea lions and for sea turtles.



AFTERNOONN: Prince Phillips steps

Hike the steep 81-foot stairway leading to a cliff offering stunning views over the bay. Hiking the Palo Santo trail, visitors can spot Nazca and red-footed boobies, mockingbirds, finches, wedge-rumped storm petrels, and short-eared owls. Later you will have the opportunity to do some deep-water snorkelling, offering a chance to see unique marine wildlife, including hammerhead sharks.

Todays excursion includes a hike to the summit on Bartolme Island, offering stunning panoramic views of the island and nearby volcanic formations, including Pinnacle Rock. You will also get a great perspective of the Galápagos Islands' volcanic origins.


MORNING: Bartolme Island

You have the opportunity to snorkel around Pinnacle Rock, and excellent spot to see Galápagos penguins, sea lions, sea turtles, and various fish.


AFTERNOON: Bowditch Point, Santa Cruz Island

You'll visit Bowditch Point, one of the more remote, less-visited sites in the Galapagos. This is another excellent snorkeling area with giant schools of black-striped salema, parrotfish, and Mexican hogfish, or you could try kayak or stand-up paddleboarding instead. Afterwards, enjoy some time relaxing on the beach or exploring the area.

MORNING: Bachas Beach

The final day starts at Bachas Beach a stunning beach with soft, white sand made of decomposed coral, which is a prime nesting site for sea turtles. While on shore, you will get to spot Sally Lightfoot crabs and a variety of wildlife, including flamingos, hermit crabs, black-necked stilts, and sea lions.



AFTERNOON: Baltra Airport

The day will end with you disembarking at Baltra for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.